Need something to wear for New Year’s Eve? There’s still time to shop locally. Order a tie from this great new local company.
In 1904, some 10,000 garment workers were employed in Baltimore. The same year, of course, a huge fire started in one factory (John E. Hurst Co.) and demolished much of the downtown and harbor area facilities. But the garment industry in Baltimore prevailed, and produced underwear, women’s dresses, men’s shirts, overalls, parasols and more for most of the 20th century before manufacturing started heading out of the country. Included among the garments made in Baltimore were neck ties. 1919, three years after some 60% of garment workers became unionized here, Schreter Neckwear opened a new factory at 600 Polaski St. in Baltimore. Among the many thriving factories in Baltimore at the time, they were in the company of multiple tie-makers, they alone pumping out over 30,000 ties a week in their prime.
Baltimore’s garment industry, while certainly not what it was in its hay-day, is seeing a resurgence with the start-up of smaller, independent micro-manufacturing all over the city. A few larger manufacturing houses remain, but many makers are opting to learn the skills of the trade themselves, and produce on a smaller scale.
Recently, on Christmas day in Baltimore, a new bespoke men’s neck wear line called Mishoe launched its retail site to the delight of tie-lovers everywhere.
The company, named after a beloved grandfather who passed tie-knotting skills on to his grandson, offers a handsome line of Neckties, Bowties and Pocket Squares all made in Baltimore. All ties in the line are limited edition as fabrics are purchased in small quantities to ensure uniqueness. With a smaller, more flexible production schedule, they are also able to offer an upcycle stitching service, giving formerly loved larger garments new life reborn as sharp new ties.
With history behind them, and a new era of manufacturing in bloom, what better company motto than this: “Makers of a Generation, Inspired by a Generation.”
The post Mishoe Neckwear Nods to Baltimore’s Tie-Making History appeared first on Baltimore Fishbowl.